Admission Director Earns Writing Honor

An article by Director of Undergraduate Admission John Mahoney Jr. calling for the college admissions profession to improve its public image was recognized by a national organization of educational administrators.

Mahoney won the 2002 John B. Muir Editor's Award from the National Association for College Admission Counseling for "Perception of the Profession Is a Cause for Concern," which was published in the winter 2001 edition of the Journal of College Admission. The award was presented to Mahoney during the NACAC annual conference, held Sept. 26-28 in Salt Lake City.

NACAC is an association of more than 7,900 primary and secondary school counselors, independent counselors, college admission and financial aid officers, enrollment managers and organizations that work with students as they make the transition from high school to postsecondary education. The Journal of College Admission is a peer-reviewed periodical published by NACAC addressing the high school-college transition and related professional topics.

In the article, Mahoney calls for the college admissions profession to reexamine its response to the needs, concerns and criticisms of students and their families. He also advocates a reappraisal of the "composition, training, and nurturing of admissions staff."

Interviewed last week, Mahoney said, "Shortly after the article was published, I received very positive feedback from colleagues working at colleges and in high schools as counselors. We are all concerned about ethical issues facing the profession and the increased pressure that students and parents face in the college application process.

"The Journal of College Admission provides a forum for professionals to speak out on key issues, and I'm flattered with their recognition of my article."